Wrong on both counts

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Mormons are the modern Indian or African tribe that believes that if you take their picture you steal their soul.

I don't get all the fuss about the upcoming HBO "Big Love" episode that reportedly accurately depicts the Mormon temple endowment, and I especially don't get the outrage about The Tribune running a picture of people in temple clothes. Just how does running a picture disrespect the ceremony?

It's fine for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to tell its members not to talk about the temple ceremony- I get how that reverence creates sacred space within the community - but it's another thing altogether to tell so-called gentiles what they can talk about. Especially if it's accurate and respectful. In our public discourse, we shouldn't degrade religions, but neither should we kowtow to them. News reporting should be fair, accurate and respectful, and The Trib's story did that.

Since Mormons think that they can tell others not of their faith who they can marry, I guess they think it's OK to tell us what not to talk about. But they are wrong on both accounts.

Keep your rules inside your tribal tent.

Maurice Hall

Salt Lake City

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